.•° ✿ °•.

What gave him the right to know of my past? Was he truly expecting that I would give it to him after he'd so carelessly squandered it last time? I was not at fault, and yet he ignored me, avoided me, scowled at me whenever we met each other's gaze. I breathed in a shaky breath as I leaned against the brick wall of the castle, watching Darwin and Dot as they played in the gardens. I laughed in spite of myself as Dot placed an extravagant flower crown on her brother's head, and one on hers. Anothony would be furious when he saw that they'd picked the flowers, and I'd probably take the heat, because he, like everyone else in the castle, had a soft spot for the twins.

"Rosie!" Dot beckoned me over, placing a flower crown on my head as I took a seat beside them.

"Thank you, its lovely." I said, offering her a smile.

"Why don't you smile anymore Rosie?" Darwin asked.

"What do you mean? I just did." I replied, raising a brow.

"That smile was disingenuous." Dot said, struggling with the large word.

"Ooh, fancy word Dot, where'd you learn that?" I asked.

"Trinity. And no, don't change the subject." Dot folded her arms glaring at me accusingly.

"Well, I don't know what you want to hear, I smile just as much as I ever have." I answered.

"That's not true and you know it." Anthony's voice sounded behind me, and our heads whipped around to face him.

"Anthony!" Dot jumped for joy, placing a flower crown on his head after pulling him down beside us.

"She and the King aren't talking, that's why she's sad." Anthony explained.

"That's not why," I began, elbowing Anthony in the gut, "In fact, there isn't a reason at all, because I'm not sad."

"Are they best friends? Is that why?" Darwin persisted, ignoring my statement entirely.

"Oh, no, they love each other," he smirked.

"Ohhh." the twins said in unison.

"That's not true." I corrected him, a light blush creeping up into my face.

"Are you going to marry the King, Rosie?" Dot jumped up.

"And have a son for me to play with?!" Darwin mirrored his sister's excitement.

"A son!? No! I'm not in love with the King and we most certainly will not be having children. Ever." I said, my face now cherry red as Anthony laughed, and the twins jumped for joy.

"No, Rosie, have a daughter!" Dot grabbed my arm.

"No, a son!"

"Daughter!"

"Son!"

"Daughter!"

The twins went on an on, running about the garden, and I shot Anthony an accusing glare, to which he responded with a smile.

"God, I hope you're satisfied." I said, trying to keep a stern expression but failing.

"Oh, I am. By this evening the entire castle will have heard this." he laughed.

"Joy." I rolled my eyes, "You know, its only a matter of time before I find out the girl you fancy. And then you'll regret everything."

"Yeah..." he sighed exasperatingly.

"What is it?" I frowned.

"It's just that I..." he paused for a moment, "Rose, can I tell you something in confidence?"

"Anything."

"I don't fancy women." he said quickly.

"Oh?" I quirked an eyebrow.

"I-I like men."

"And you're embarrassed about it? Why?"

"Why? Well, it's only one of the most taboo things a person can do, love someone of their own gender."

"Nonesense. You should be free to love whomever you so desire."

"I suppose." he shrugged.

The town clock sounded, and I instinctively rose up.

"Where are you going?" Anthony asked.

"To meet the King for - Oh..." I trailed off, embarrassed.

That had happened nearly every day since our fight. Each time the bell sounded at noon, I would make my way to the room, realizing only a few seconds later that I was not wanted there. I sighed, reseating myself beside Anthony.

"You should talk to him. I know you don't care to admit it, but the King means something to you, as you do to him. You're both miserable, and if you would stray to set aside your pride and talk to each other, you wouldn't have to be." he said, his tone serious.

"It has nothing to do with pride. We don't get along, and we never have. And no, neither of us likes or cares for the other, and so, no reason presents itself telling me that I should make amends." I shot back.

"You know that isn't true, Rose. Look, listen to me, or don't. Just know that I'm looking out for your best interest, and making up with the King is in your best interest." he said, standing.

"I'm sorry, Anthony. I don't mean to be rude... I'm just-"

"Sensitive?" he cut me off.

"What?"

"Sensitive. You block your feelings out because you're sensitive to them, and when you feel vulnerable to those emotions, you push people away." he concluded, "I'll see you later."

I paused for a moment, thinking. It was true what he'd said, I didn't like to be vulnerable to my emotions, I didn't like trusting people with them. I know I'd pushed away the King, but after everything he's done to me, he didn't deserve to be let in. But despite this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt over what I'd said, as well as a sense of longing to make amends. Or at least to speak with him. I didn't have to apologize to speak with him.

Deciding that I would go see the King, I returned the twins to Anne, before walking down the hallway to the King's study, where he often spent his time nowadays. I cautiously opened the door, peeking my head inside, to find it vacant of people.

"What are you doing?" a voice asked from behind me.

"I was just-" I paused when I saw the King standing behind me, his brow raised, an accusing glare on his face.

"You were just..?" he trailed off, taking a step forward, causing me to back step into the room.

He continued walking forwards, and I continued backing up, until we were both inside the study. He turned and shut the door, before facing me.

"What is it?"

"I just wanted-" I paused, clearing my throat and taking on a stern tone, "I've got a question to pose."

"Pose it, then."

"Why've you been ignoring and avoiding me? You've made it blatantly clear that you don't care for me at all, so why would our encounter that day change how you act towards me?" I asked, folding my arms.

"I don't need to explain myself to you." he responded flatly.

"You do, actually."

"According to what?" he demanded, lowering his gaze to level with mine.

"The fact that deep down, there is a decent human being inside of you."

"Sorry to disappoint, but there isn't. You may go."

"So you enlist me as a mistress, toy with me for a few months, and then ignore me?" I raised my tone.

"Ah." he smirked, straightening up.

"Ah what?" I asked hesitantly, concerned at his sudden change of demeanour.

"If you wanted my attention, dear, you simply had to ask." he said mischievously, all at once pining me against the wall.

"I - I never - I didn't-" I fumbled over my words, unsure of what to say.

"Tsk tsk, you were longing for my attention, don't deny it." he spoke softly, his voice a husky whisper as he placed a thumb on my bottom lip, causing my heart to flutter, "You intrigue me, Rosalie. Truly."

His gaze fell from my eyes to my mouth, as he leaned in closer. Suddenly, his mouth was on mine, and I did not say no, I melted into it, a warm feeling spreading through my body. He cupped my face in his hands, pulling me closer. My mind slipped away and all I could focus on was the kiss, nothing else disturbed my mind. Then, as suddenly as the kiss had begun, I pulled away from it, cutting it short. I looked at the King for a moment, my eyes widened in shock. His cheeks, as well as my own, were both coloured red, as we panted for air.

"Je - Je dois m'excuser, désolé." I said quickly, passing the King and exiting from the room, immediately making a break for my room, mortified.

How could I have let that happen? How could I have kissed the King of Great Britain, a man I've been conditioned to hate all my life? I was supposed to speak with him, not make out with him, for God's sake! How would I ever face him again? This was utterly humiliating.
Those feelings aside, I could not help but feel butterflies in my stomach, each time my mind wandered to the King, to the kiss. Don't tell me... Had I actually... Enjoyed it?

°•. ✿ .•°